Following a dramatic assassination attempt on July 13, former President Donald Trump has experienced a significant rise in his social media following. The increase in his follower count is particularly notable on Instagram, where Trump now boasts 51% more followers than his competitor, President Joe Biden.
Sharp Rise in Social Media Followers
Trump’s Instagram followers surged from 24.9 million on the day before the shooting to 25.9 million by July 19. This increase of one million followers within a week underscores a dramatic rise in his social media popularity following the incident in Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot and sustained an injury to his ear.
On Truth Social, Trump shared his harrowing experience of the shooting, stating he “felt the bullet ripping through [his] skin.” This personal account contributed to an additional 220,000 followers on the platform, raising his total from 7.11 million to 7.33 million. Similarly, his TikTok following grew from 7.6 million on the day of the shooting to 8.8 million by the end of the week.
Viral Hashtags and Increased Engagement
The hashtag #Trump has gained substantial traction, with #Trump garnering 668 million views on TikTok, #DonaldTrump receiving 282 million views, and #Trump2024 trending with 157 million views. Thomas Moore, director of Viralyft, noted that the news surrounding Trump’s assassination attempt has greatly amplified his online presence. He explained that the incident “has resonated deeply with many Trump supporters across the internet.”
Moore’s analysis also highlighted a 500% increase in Google searches for “How to register to vote” nationwide within three days of the shooting, indicating a heightened political engagement among the public.
The surge in Trump’s social media following is seen as a testament to the heightened public interest and emotional response generated by the recent events. As the 2024 presidential race looms, Trump’s increased online presence could play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of his campaign.
